Lock for pivoted links



Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,924.

, T. B. NICHOLSON.

' LOCK FOR PIVOTED LINKS.

FILED JULY 21, 1921..

INVENTOR.

Patented r ch, 2?, i923 TOM B. NIGHQLSDBZ', F 1G3 AETQ'EQ, CALIFGEIQEA.

LGG'K EGR IPWQTED LINES.

Application filed July 21, 1921.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that 1, Tom B. NICHOLSON, a citizen of the United States residing at Los Angeles, in the county of lies Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements inLocks for Pivoted Links, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a locking, device ,for pivoted links, for instance the folding links that are pivotally connected to each other and which serve as a brace between a table top and the supporting legs therefor, the principal objects of my invention being to provide a simple, practical and eiiieient device that may be readily shifted into position to lock the links when the same, are unfolded to form a brace between the table top and leg and, firther, to provide a pivoted link locking device that may be easily and cheaply produced and which may be advantageously employed wherever folding links are utilized as a brace member between parts that are hinged or connected to each other and which parts are to be maintained in positions substantially at right angles to each other.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a link locking device of my improved construction, the same being applied to a pair of links that serve as a folding brace between a table top and one of the supporting legs therefor,

Fig, 2 is an enlarged section approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken line 3--3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4% is a prospective view showing a pair of folding links and with my improved locking device positioned thereupon.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown nay-improved folding links and looking device arranged between a table top T and a folding leg L that serves as one of the supports for the said table top, said links being designated by the numerals and 11 with the upper end of link 10 pivotally connected to table top T, the lower end of link ll. pivotally connected to leg L and the inner end portions of said links being pivotally connected to each other by a suitable pin or on the Serial No. 486%25.

' rivet 12. These links are preferably formed of metal and the pivot member 12 is located in link 11 so that a portion of said link extends a short distance beyond the point of so pivotal connection between the links, thereby forming an extension finger 13.

This extensionfinger is slitted lengthwise adjacent to one edge and the material to the side of the slit is depressed to form a lug 14: no

that isadapted to engage in a correspondingly formed depression 15 in link 10, when the links are shifted into longitudinal alinement with each other.

Arranged for sliding movement upon link to 10, is a loop or keeper 16, the forward portion 17 of which is pressed upward. to form a pocket that is adapted to receive the end of the extension finger 13. To limit the sliding movement of this keeper upon link 10, a re tongue 18 is formed integral with the rear end of its body portion and projects downwardly into a slot 19 that is formed in link 10%,

When my device is in use as a brace be tween the table top and leg, links 10 and 11 so are swung into longitudinal alinement with each other, with the lug 14 positioned in recess 15 and with the loop or keeper 16 moved downward so the pocket or recess in the forward portion thereof overlies the end of exat tension finger 13 and when so positioned the links are efi'ectively locked against pivotal movement relative to each other and relative to the table top and leg.

To release the links and permit the same so extension finger 13 on link 11 and the two links may now be folded against one another as the leg is folded upwardly into position.

To facilitate manipulation of keeper 16, the upper surface of the portion 1'? thereof may be milled or knurled in order that it we may be readily engaged by the thumb or finger and in order to accommodate the loop or keeper 16 when the links are folded into position one directly over the other the lower portion of link 11 is offset with respect to the upper portion.

A device of my improved construction is comparatively simple, may be easily and cheaply produced and provides eihcient means for securely locking the members of a lie pair of pivotally connected links such as are employed between folding members that require a brace when shifted into position for use.

it will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved link locking device may be made or substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1; In combination, a pair of links pivotally connected to each other adjacent one of their ends, portions of the links being split and bent to form a finger on one of the links and a depression on the other link which cooperates with the latter to limit the pivotal movement of the links in one direction, one of said links being formed with a slot, a keeper sleeve slidable on the slotted link and having one end bent outwardly to provide a pocket adapted to receive one end of the other link, and a tongue formed on the sleeve working in said slot for limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve in either direction.

ma ame 2. In combination, a pair of links pivotally connected to each other adjacent one of their ends, means formed on the links for limiting the pivotal movement thereof in one direction, a slot formed in one of the links, a keeper sleeve slidable on the slotted link and having one end bent outwardly to provide a pocket adapted to receive'one end of the other link, and a tongue formed on the sleeve and working in said slot for limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve in either direction.

3. In combination, a pair of links pivotally connected to each other adjacent one of their ends, a slot formed in one of the links, a keeper sleeve slidable on the slotted link and having one end bent outwardly to provide a pocket adapted to receive one end of the other link, and a tongue formed on the sleeve and working in said slot for limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve in either direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed iny name to this specification.

r TOM B. NICHOLSON. 

